Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten half-century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their Indian Premier League title defence with an emphatic six-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Playing his first match since January, Kohli anchored the chase with a composed 69 not out off 38 balls, guiding Bengaluru to 203-4 in just 15.4 overs in pursuit of a daunting 202-run target.

He was well supported by Devdutt Padikkal, who blasted 61 from 26 deliveries, and captain Rajat Patidar, who added a quickfire 31 off 12 balls. England’s Phil Salt contributed just eight runs but made a significant impact in the field with a stunning one-handed diving catch.

Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a competitive 201-9, powered by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 80 off 38 balls. However, his dismissal in the 16th over—courtesy of Salt’s brilliance on the boundary—halted their momentum on a batting-friendly surface.

New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy impressed on debut for Bengaluru, returning figures of 3-22, while England left-armer David Payne claimed 2-35 in his first IPL outing for Hyderabad.

Bengaluru’s chase set a new benchmark as the fastest successful pursuit of a 200-plus total in IPL history. Kohli also extended his record for the most 50-plus scores in successful run chases in the tournament.

In other IPL developments, several England players are featuring in this year’s competition. Jos Buttler returns to Gujarat Titans alongside Tom Banton and Luke Wood, while Jofra Archer is back with Rajasthan Royals. Will Jacks joins Mumbai Indians, and Liam Livingstone and Brydon Carse are part of the Sunrisers squad.

The IPL continues today, Sunday March 29, with a blockbuster clash as Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders in what promises to be an early-season test for both sides.

Five-time champions Mumbai will look to assert dominance at home, with key players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the charge, while Kolkata will rely on their explosive lineup featuring Andre Russell to make a strong statement.

With both teams aiming to build early momentum in IPL 2026, fans can expect a high-intensity contest packed with big hitting and crucial breakthroughs.

Fans in Afghanistan can catch all the IPL 2026 action live, as Ariana Radio and Television Network holds exclusive broadcast rights across the country.

Viewers can tune in daily to Ariana Television for live coverage, and follow Ariana Television and Ariana News across social media platforms for the latest updates and highlights.

The injury list ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to grow, with fresh setbacks for Raphinha and Phil Foden adding to mounting concerns for national teams.

England midfielder Foden picked up an injury during a recent friendly against Uruguay following a heavy challenge from Ronald Araujo. The Manchester City star was visibly in pain and had to be substituted, with Cole Palmer coming on in his place. The setback comes at a crucial stage for Foden, who had been looking to regain top form for both club and country.

Meanwhile, Brazil winger Raphinha has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained during his side’s 2-1 defeat to France. Medical scans confirmed the extent of the issue, with the FC Barcelona forward expected to be sidelined until May. His absence means he will miss key fixtures, including Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash against Atletico Madrid.

Their injuries add to an already extensive list of high-profile players struggling with fitness ahead of the global showpiece. Among those dealing with concerns are Cristiano Ronaldo, Rodrygo, Bruno Guimaraes, Eder Militao, Matthijs de Ligt, Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, James Maddison, Jack Grealish, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, and Alphonso Davies.

With several key players facing uncertain recoveries, the growing injury crisis is emerging as a major concern for teams preparing for the World Cup, potentially impacting squad selections and tournament dynamics.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, expanding to 48 teams from the previous 32.

It will be jointly hosted by three countries—United States, Canada, and Mexico—marking the first time the World Cup is shared by three nations.

The expanded format will see teams divided into 12 groups, increasing the total number of matches and giving more nations the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026, with the final set to be played on July 19, 2026.

Matches will be held across multiple cities in the three host nations, showcasing some of the world’s most iconic stadiums. As the premier competition organised by FIFA, the World Cup brings together the top national teams from around the globe, drawing billions of viewers and remaining one of the most anticipated sporting events worldwide.

A high-level government–private sector delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Shukhrat Abdullazakov, Governor of Namangan province, arrived in Kabul to enhance trade between the two countries and promote investment in Afghanistan.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Industry, the delegation, which includes deputy governors and more than 30 of Uzbekistan’s top businesspeople and investors, will meet with officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and participate in conferences and trade meetings.

The delegation will also travel to Balkh, meet with local officials, and hold business meetings with members of the private sector.

Additionally, the delegation will inaugurate an exhibition of Uzbek products and goods in Mazar-i-Sharif.

This visit follows the trip of Erkinjon Turdimov, Governor of Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya Province, and his accompanying delegation, and is based on meetings between Nuruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Islamic Emirate, and senior Uzbek officials.

Other governors from Uzbekistan are also expected to visit Afghanistan to further expand bilateral trade and economic relations.